They Call Me Captain Optimist.

Willis.  Bubba.  Bill Grande.  Apple "Streu"del.  Chuck.  Cupcake.  Bilbo.  Billubbaluva.  Just a few of the many nicknames I have been blessed with over the years.  But, truth is that one of my favorites has always been Captain Optimist.

I like being an optimist.  I like to accentuate the positive.  I like to always find something to smile about.  And why not?

Now, I know that there is sometimes a fine line between being real and putting a mask on.  I understand the danger of faking it and just slapping a smile on your face so you don't have to show people what is really going on.  I won't pretend that this has been an easy experience, but I am a firm believer that, in Christ, we ALWAYS have something to look forward to.  

This past Sunday, I had a lot of people ask how I was feeling.  Truth is that I don't know the best way to answer that question.  I think this is because of my optimism.  The deal is that I'm not doing great, but I know that any suffering I am experiencing could be much worse. 

One of my friends asked how I was feeling and I replied, "Ummm...I'm alright."  He said, "You know, Billy, you don't always have to be positive."  Was he wrong in saying this?  Absolutely not.  But, I started to really think about it and realized that this is just who I am.  I thank God for this blessing.  Perhaps living in Bosnia-Herzegovina has even aided in enhancing this within me.  I believe that I have seen what terrible suffering could possibly be, and I know God has led me to encourage them to put their hope in Christ and not despair.  So, I hope that when I "accentuate the positive," it is my striving to bank my hope in the One who has given me something to ALWAYS look forward to.

Romans 8 shows us that our present sufferings are basically birth pangs on the road to future glory.  I want to live that out in my life and view whatever may come through that lens. 

Just call me Captain Optimist.